In the words of Edgar Degas, “The principles of true arts are not to portray, but to evoke.”Ā Ā Art and crafts are an integral part of any society’s culture that evokes feelings and meaning that would help us develop an appreciation of visual aesthetics. For travelers, certain features of a city evoke those feelings which enhance their experiences.Ā Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and home to over 200 ethnic groups that speak over 500…
The first time I saw the Zuma Rock as a national monument of Nigeria was when it was depicted on the N100 note as a symbol of our national treasure. I have heard myths and mysterious stories about the rock. I remember so well that in the past when we used to farm behind the rock, I would never go to the farm alone without the company of my siblings because of many of these…
Over the years Abuja has continued to witness a mass influx of people into the city on a daily basis. This migration has caused transportation to remain one of the biggest challenges in the capital city of Nigeria. The rural-urban migration perhaps cut across every city in Nigeria, where the people go to the urban centres in search of better lives and greener pastures. However, the growing population in the FCT as a result of…
The thing about festive seasons is that they put us in that celebratory mood; to eat, drink, party, visit people, to have a memorable and good time. Festive seasons come with memories youāll always play in your head, making you smile. Abuja as you already know is the capital city of Nigeria and you expect nothing less when it comes to visiting places, hanging out with family and creating memories. With your kids at home…
It is supposed to be an International Fruit Market where all kinds of edible products and vegetables are sold, but has Zuba turned out that way? Given the nature of the market and how it attracts businesses, resident farmers who grow fruits in FCT, as well as businessmen and women, throng the market daily to buy and sell without minding the environment where they carry out their trade. Abuja residents buying and selling at Zuba The…
Some things come into existence deliberately and some by the activities of men. This could be said of this old and abandoned quarry site that has now become an attractive sight to the indigenes of Mpape and its environs. āMpapeā, meaning rock in Gwari, is a suburb in the FCT known for its mining activities. The lake with its riveting look was born out of suspended and halted mining activity. You could say that it…
Cities are known to be large human settlements. Deļ¬ned as a permanent and densely settled place with administratively deļ¬ned boundaries, cities generally have extensive systems for housing, transportation, sanitation, utilities, land use, and communication. So, the prospect of urban innovation excites the imagination, even more, the dreaming of what a āsmart cityā will look like in some gleaming future, and is by its nature an exciting innovative gesture. Thatās the case for the Centenary City underway…
I love the rail transport system. There are no checkpoints or potholes. Or so I thought. An excursion visit took me to a railway station for the first time ever. It wasnāt any different for my students and colleagues who were with me at the time for what was an exciting adventure for us. Students on an excursion trip to a train station The highlight of our visit to the Kubwa train station was a…
The Lagos waterways arguably hold a lot of potentials to be explored. To a tourist and adventurer, it makes an exciting environment for sightseeing and enhances the aesthetics of the city. The aquatic view ushers in the avid traveler to the waterways and complements the Third Mainland Bridge and the high-rise buildings across the sea. The Third Mainland Bridge is one of the longest of three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland as the…
As a city develops, it attracts a lot of people who come to seek greener pastures, make ends meet or to experience city life. With such an influx, traffic gridlocks can abound. I remember my geography lessons indicating traffic as one of the problems encountered in urban areas. Navigating Abuja, especially the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), should not be a problem. There are alternate routes to avoid traffic gridlocks due to an efficient road…